Classique vs Cartouche

[JoeG48]

I am just about ready to purchase interior, as well as roof and sun visor fabric for my 27 Model T coupe. People tell one company is better than another for the fabric etc. No one has told me why one company is better than another. Has anyone had specific dealings with one fabric company being better than the other and why?
Thanks for any help Joe

[Will_Vanderburg]

Classtique makes their kits from patterns drawn from original cars.

The fitment from cartouche is a crap shoot

[Moxie26]

Joe :. Mike at Classtique on a phone call will ask you questions after you tell him what you need and with his guidance you correctly get what you need. The quality that I received far out shadows the price I had to pay. No complaints for great work.

[CudaMan]

I've had both, the kits I got from Classtique came with much more cotton padding and more extra material around the edges to handle variations in fitment.

[Don ellis]

There is no comparison, clastique all the way

[John kuehn]

I’ve used both. The Cartouche kit I used for my 24 Coupe worked OK. Seemed to be cut and fit well and looks good to me.
The Classtique kit for my 21 Touring worked fine too.
Maybe some have had issues but I didn’t.

[TMiller6]

I am in the process of installing a Classtique top on my 26 Runabout. Mike from Classtique rescued the job by selling me the pieces I needed. The other company did not sew the first top correctly and would not warranty it because I kept it in the box too long.

I installed a Classtique top on my 16 Touring in August. It replaced a 35 year old Carter top that accidentally got torn. Mike worked with me to ensure I could reuse my side curtains. The job turned out perfect.

I upholstered the front seat in my son’s 29 Roadster. I had never encountered a pleat like this before and the new seat spring was hog ringed together and I had no idea how to proceed. Mike called me and explained how everything went together.

I have purchased many Classtique interiors for my cars and continue to be delighted by the quality and the support.

[BLB27]

I just started to install the upholstery for my 1927 coupe from Classtique. This is the first time I have installed any upholstery, so I have had a lot of questions. Mike is helping me.

[TWrenn]

There is no comparison, clastique all the way

Darn...you took the words right outa my mouth!...er...keyboard!!

[FundyTides]

I installed a Cartouche kit in my 27 Touring a few years ago and was happy with it. The only problem was that it was a Canadian built car and the back seat cushion was deeper than those in the US built cars. That is, there was a front "shelf" on the seat riser that added an inch or so to the depth of the cushion. Called Cartouche and they made me another cushion cover to my measurements. I did have to pay for it but later sold the "wrong" one and recovered part of my cost. I don't know if this seat difference is common knowledge but something to be aware of if you are upholstering a Canadian built car.
I am currently installing a Cartouche front seat kit in my 31 Model A Roadster. Kit looks well made but I am keeping my fingers crossed for a few more warm sunny days as the covers are VERY tight and I need all the heat I can get to make them more flexible and stretch the material. Another inch or so each way would make a big difference but Cartouche tells me that they make them this way intentionally so the fit will be tight.

[Etudes10]

I installed a Cartouche kit in my 1925 Tudor. I decided on Cartouche after receiving material samples from Classique and Cartouche. Classique didn't have the right fabric for the head liner and upper side panels. The Cartouche kit was less expensive and I used the difference in cost to hire a local upholster to help out with the installation. The upholster was impressed with the quality of materials used in the Cartouche kit. I used Lang's to order the kit, they were very helpful and responsive.

[TMiller6]

I saw this thread in Fordbarn today saying Cartouche is gone:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320678

[Steve Jelf]

I saw this thread in Fordbarn today saying Cartouche is gone...

It seems that LeBaron Bonney is the outfit that went belly-up, and in bankruptcy was bought by Eklers. Ecklers in turn has been bought by an even bigger company, Turn5, Inc. Meanwhile, Cartouche is in Lockport, the home of Mac's, and is owned by Mac's/Ecklers/Turn5.

Some people gripe that Mac's went downhill after being bought by Ecklers. This is not true. I crossed Mac's off my list in the days of ordering by snail mail, thirty years ago, because of their reeking customer service. From what I read online that tradition has persisted since the Ecklers acquisition. I've also read that Ecklers has been stiffing some of their suppliers, which seems especially unwise.